Carl Joseph Papa

{{Short description|Filipino filmmaker and animator}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=July 2024}}{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name =

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Carl Joseph Echague Papa

| birth_place = Metro Manila, Philippines

| alma_mater = UP Diliman

| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|screenwriter|animator}}

| years_active = 2012–present

}}

Carl Joseph Papa is a Filipino filmmaker and animator. A well-known figure of Philippine animation, his filmography employed rotoscoping animated features which are most often use of subject matters in the daily life of the Philippines, particularly with the themes of family struggles.

His films have been screened at film festivals worldwide and received multiple accolades during his lifetime including black tragicomedy Manang Biring (2015) and musical comedy-drama Paglisan (2018), both of them which won him Best Film twice at Cinema One Originals Film Festival, and psychological drama science-fiction Iti Mapukpukaw (2023), won the Best Film at the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

Career

Papa was originally chosen as a software engineer when he was an alumnus of University of the Philippines and pursue his career as a Java consultant at Orange and Bronze Software Labs,{{Cite web |title=Carl Joseph Papa on Linkedin |url=https://ph.linkedin.com/in/carl-joseph-papa-869554186}} he took filmmaking instead to develop cutout animated short films Ang Prinsesa, ang Prinsipe at si Marlborita (2012) and iNay (2013).{{Cite web |title=Carl Joseph E. Papa |url=https://iffr.com/en/person/carl-joseph-e-papa |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=iffr.com |language=en-GB}}

He made his directorial debut live action film, the semi-autobiographical experimental drama The Unforgetting (2014), about a young woman's struggle to preserve happy memories and forgetting painful ones when her mother left. The film was screened at QCinema International Film Festival.{{Cite web |title=Ang Di Paglimot ng mga Alaala |url=https://qcinema.ph/film/ang-di-paglimot-ng-mga-alaala/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=QCinema International Film Festival |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Turner |first=Alix |date=2024-01-08 |title=An Interview With Carl Joseph Papa: The Missing |url=https://www.25yearslatersite.com/2024/01/08/an-interview-with-carl-joseph-papa-the-missing/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=25YL |language=en-US}}

He gained local recognition for his adult animated films: Manang Biring, which won him the Best Film at the 2015 Cinema One Originals, the first animated film to do so,{{cite web |date=19 November 2015 |title=Lone animated entry "Manang Biring" wins Best Film at Cinema One Originals |url=https://www.adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/lone-animated-entry-manang-biring-wins-best-film-at-cinema-one-originals/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=adobo Magazine}} and Paglisan, which won him another Best Film at the 2018 Cinema One Originals.{{cite news |last1=Aguilar |first1=Krissy |date=21 October 2018 |title='Paglisan,' 'Never Tear Us Apart' win big at Cinema One Originals 2018 |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/300132/paglisan-never-tear-us-apart-win-big-at-cinema-one-originals-2018 |access-date=4 January 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en}} Iti Mapukpukaw garnered several awards, including Best Film at the 19th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and 47th Gawad Urian Awards, the first animated film to do so, and immense media attention for his submission as the Philippine entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards, the first animated film to be submitted by the Philippines.{{cite web |title=International Oscar Race: The Philippines Selects Gay Animation Film 'The Missing' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/2024-international-feature-oscar-submissions-1235688041/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913061649/https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/2024-international-feature-oscar-submissions-1235688041/ |archive-date=2023-09-13 |access-date=2023-09-30 |publisher=Variety}}

In addition of directorial films, he is writing several live-action comedy films including Asuang (2018), Mang Jose (2021), and Boys at the Back (2024).{{Cite news |last=Hawson |first=Fred |date=October 19, 2018 |title=C1 Originals review: Mock mythology of 'Asuang' |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/10/19/18/c1-originals-review-mock-mythology-of-asuang}}{{Cite web |title=Mang Jose (2021) |url=https://www.clickthecity.com/movies/title/d323e4/mang-jose |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=ClickTheCity |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Carl Joseph E. Papa |url=https://monomax.co/people/1165086/carl-joseph-e-papa |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=MONOMAX |language=en}}

= Upcoming projects =

He is currently working on his animated films, Sentinel and 58th, the former set in a high school consumed by dark secrets, while the latter describes as a documentary about the Maguindanao massacre that took place in 2009.{{Cite web |last=Evangelista |first=Jessica Ann |date=2024-11-24 |title=Glaiza de Castro leads '58th,' film on Maguindanao massacre |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/586507/glaiza-de-castro-leads-58th-film-on-maguindanao-massacre |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=inquirer.net |language=en}} The film portrays Glaiza de Castro as Ma. Reynafe Momay-Castillo, a daughter of the disappeared photojournalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, alongside Ricky Davao, Mikoy Morales, Biboy Ramirez, Marco Masa, and Zyren Dela Cruz are announced to be part of the cast line-up; it was Davao's last acting film prior to his death in May 2, 2025.

Style and themes

With the exception of The Unforgetting and Homecoming, Papa's directorial films are entirely animated with different types of animation: cutout, child art, and rotoscoping. Each films have recorded in live-action or voice recording with storyboard process during pre-production before the animation process in post-production.{{cite news |date=16 November 2015 |title=Visayan film nabs awards at Cinema One Originals |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-entertainment/2015/11/16/1522809/visayan-film-nabs-awards-cinema-one-originals |access-date=2 January 2024 |work=The Freeman |publisher=The Philippine Star}} Additionally, most directorial films have notable, well-known cast members including Cherry Pie Picache, Ian Veneracion, Eula Valdez, Khalil Ramos, Carlo Aquino, and Dolly de Leon.

Papa's films have mature subject matters, often focus on the Philippines' daily lives and family issues such as abandonment (The Unforgetting), cancer and death (Manang Biring), dementia and depression (Paglisan), incest and sexual abuse (Iti Mapukpukaw), and teenage pregnancy (iNay).{{Cite web |title=LIST: 5 Pinoy films and series that prove animation is not just for children |url=https://philstarlife.com/geeky/868942-adult-filipino-animated-films-series?page=3 |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Philstar Life}}

Filmography

= Feature films =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!English Title

!Original Title

!Director

!Writer

!Editor

!Notes

!Ref.

2014

|The Unforgetting

|Ang ‘Di Paglimot Ng Mga Ala-Ala

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|Directorial debut; also producer

|

2015

|Old Woman Biring

|Manang Biring

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|

  • Also animator
  • Actor: Dream Nurse

|

rowspan="2" |2018

|The Leaving

|Paglisan

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|

  • Also animation compositor and lyricist ("Hari ng kwento", "Buhay teatro", "Pagod na", "Ten Past Eleven")
  • Actor: Doctor

|

colspan="2" |Asuang

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|

|

2021

| colspan="2" |Mang Jose

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|

|

2023

|The Missing

|Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|

|

2024

| colspan="2" |Boys at the Back

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|Also story by

|

rowspan="2" |TBA

| colspan="2" |58th

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|

|

colspan="2" |Sentinel

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|

|{{Cite web |title=Carl Joseph Papa |url=https://www.asiapacificscreenawards.com/apsa-academy-members/carl-joseph-papa |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Asia Pacific Screen Awards |language=en-US}}

= Short films =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!English Title

!Original Title

!Director

!Writer

!Editor

!Notes

!Ref.

2012

|The Princess, the Prince and Marlborita

|Ang Prinsesa, ang Prinsipe at si Marlborita

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|Also producer, animator, cinematographer, and production designer

| rowspan="4" |{{Cite web |title=Carl Joseph E. Papa |url=https://iffr.com/en/person/carl-joseph-e-papa |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=iffr.com |language=en-GB}}

rowspan="2" |2013

|Homecoming

|Ti Panagawid

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

|Also producer and cinematographer

Mother

|iNay{{Cite AV media |url=https://vimeo.com/showcase/6925923/video/89080720 |title=Carl Joseph E. Papa - iNay (Mother) |language=en |access-date=2024-11-29 |via=vimeo.com}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|Also producer, animator, cinematographer, and production designer

2017

| colspan="2" |Love Bites

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|{{yes}}

|Also production designer

= Television series =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!English Title

!Original Title

!Director

!Writer

!Editor

!Notes

!Ref.

2021

| colspan="2" |Puto

|{{no}}

|{{yes}}

|{{no}}

|2 episodes

|

Awards

= Asia Pacific Screen Awards =

{{Main|Asia Pacific Screen Awards}}

class="wikitable"

|+1 win out of 2 nominations

!Year

!Category

!Nominated work

!Result

!Ref.

2016

| rowspan="2" |Best Animated Film

|Manang Biring

|{{nom}}

|

2024

|Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=2024-11-30 |title='April' Takes Double Win at Asia Pacific Screen Awards |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/asia-pacific-screen-awards-april-all-we-imagine-as-light-1236231276/ |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

= FAMAS Awards =

{{Main|FAMAS Award}}

class="wikitable"

|+1 win out of 5 nominations

!Year

!Category

!Nominated work

!Result

!Ref.

rowspan="2" |2019

|Best Original Screenplay

|Asuang

|{{nom}}

|{{Cite web |last=Villano |first=Alexa |date=2019-03-18 |title=Full List: Nominees, 2019 FAMAS Awards |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/226029-list-famas-awards-nominees-2019/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}

Best Original Song

|Paglisan

|{{won}}

|{{Cite web |last=Villano |first=Alexa |date=2019-04-29 |title=Full List: Winners of the 2019 FAMAS Awards |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/229219-list-famas-awards-2019-winners/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}

rowspan="3" |2024

|Best Director

| rowspan="3" |Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{nom}}

| rowspan="3" |{{Cite web |last=Abad |first=Ysa |date=2024-05-07 |title=Full List: Nominees, 2024 FAMAS Awards |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/full-list-nominees-2024-famas-awards/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Rappler |language=en-US}}

Best Screenplay

|{{nom}}

Best Visual Effects

|{{nom}}

= Gawad Urian Awards =

{{Main|Gawad Urian Award}}

class="wikitable"

|+1 win out of 4 nominations

!Year

!Category

!Nominated work

!Result

!Ref.

2019

| rowspan="2" |Pinakamahusay na Direksyon (Best Director)

|Paglisan

|{{nom}}

|{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2019 |title=Full List: Winners, Gawad Urian 2019 |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/233278-list-winners-gawad-urian-awards-2019 |website=Rappler}}

rowspan="3" |2024

| rowspan="3" |Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{nom}}

| rowspan="3" |{{Cite news |last=Cerezo |first=Anna |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Full List of Winners of 47th Gawad Awards |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/6/8/list-2024-gawad-urian-winners-2222}}

Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula (Best Screenplay)

|{{nom}}

Pinakamahusay na Animasyon (Best Animation)

|{{won}}

= Film festivals awards =

class="wikitable"

|+13 (including runner-up) wins out of 23 nominations

!Film festival

!Year

!Category

!Nominated work

!Result

!Ref.

rowspan="4" |Animahenasyon: The Philippine Animation Festival

| rowspan="4" |2018

|Grand Winner

| rowspan="4" |Love Bites

|{{won}}

| rowspan="4" |{{Cite web |date=November 14, 2018 |title=Animahenasyon 2018 Winners - Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/1HEH7Z9FWs/ |website=Facebook}}

Best Storytelling

|{{won}}

Best in Technical

|{{won}}

Best Production Design

|{{won}}

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

|2024

|Contrechamp Grand Prix

|Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{nom}}

|{{cite news |last1=Lang |first1=Jamie |title=Annecy Unveils Anime-Heavy Competition Lineup and Special Presentations for 'Inside Out,' 'Moana,' 'Despicable Me' Sequels |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/annecy-competition-lineup-studio-presentations-1235982271/ |access-date=15 June 2024 |agency=Variety}}

rowspan="10" |Cinema One Originals Film Festival

| rowspan="6" |2015

|Best Film

| rowspan="6" |Manang Biring

|{{won}}

| rowspan="6" |{{cite news |last1=Santiago |first1=Ervin |date=19 November 2015 |title='Manang Biring' wins best film sa 2015 Cinema One Film festival |trans-title=‘Manang Biring’ waging best film sa 2015 Cinema One Film festival |url=https://bandera.inquirer.net/108455/manang-biring-waging-best-film-sa-2015-cinema-one-film-festival |access-date=2 January 2024 |work=Bandera |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=fil}}

Best Director

|{{nom}}

Best Screenplay

|{{nom}}

Best Editing

|{{nom}}

Audience Award

|{{nom}}

Champion Bughaw Award

|{{won}}

rowspan="4" |2019

|Best Film

| rowspan="4" |Paglisan

|{{won}}

| rowspan="4" |{{cite news |last1=Aguilar |first1=Krissy |date=21 October 2018 |title='Paglisan,' 'Never Tear Us Apart' win big at Cinema One Originals 2018 |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/300132/paglisan-never-tear-us-apart-win-big-at-cinema-one-originals-2018 |access-date=4 January 2024 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |language=en}}

Best Director

|{{nom}}

Best Screenplay

|{{won}}

Best Editing

|{{nom}}

rowspan="2" |Cinemanila International Film Festival

|2012

| rowspan="2" |Young Cinema Competition – Best Short Film)

|Ang Prinsesa, ang Prinsipe at si Marlborita

|{{won}}

|

2013

|Ti Panagawid

|{{nom}}

|

rowspan="2" |Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival

| rowspan="2" |2023

|Best Film

| rowspan="2" |Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{won}}

| rowspan="2" |{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2023 |title='Iti Mapukpukaw' tops Cinemalaya 2023 with 3 wins including Best Film |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/08/13/23/iti-mapukpukaw-tops-cinemalaya-2023-with-3-wins |website=ABS-CBN News}}

NETPAC Full-length Feature Award

|{{won}}

rowspan="2" |Fantasia International Film Festival

| rowspan="2" |2024

|Satoshi Kon Award for Achievement in Animation – Special Jury Mention (Best Animated Feature)

| rowspan="2" |Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{won}}

|{{cite web |last=Hazelton |first=John |date=July 28, 2024 |title=French epic 'The Count Of Monte-Cristo' named best film at Fantasia |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/french-epic-the-count-of-monte-cristo-named-best-film-at-fantasia/5195796.article |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=Screen Daily}}

Audience Awards – Best Animated Feature

|{{runner-up|Silver}}

|Jeremy Kay, [https://www.screendaily.com/news/bookworm-wins-2024-fantasia-audience-award-for-best-international-film-exclusive/5196039.article "‘Bookworm’ wins 2024 Fantasia audience award for best international film"]. Screen Daily, August 6, 2024.

Osaka Asian Film Festival

|2024

|Grand Prix

|Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{nom}}

|{{Cite web |date= March 10, 2024|title=Osaka Asian Film Festival 2024 |url=https://oaff.jp/en/oaff2024/ |access-date= |language=en-US}}

Palm Springs International Film Festival

|2024

|FIPRESCI Prize for Best Foreign Language Film

|Iti Mapukpukaw

|{{nom}}

|

See also

References